:: after giving thanks ::
Today I’m thankful for sunshine streaming through my windows, online banking, and the delicious Thanksgiving leftovers my mom sent home with me that I’m about to eat for lunch.
I’m grateful that my wireless internet service provider had staff on last night, and even though all I had to do to fix the issue was press a tiny red reset button that I don’t ever recall seeing before, I’m grateful for the many minutes I no longer have to anxiously await what ended up being spotty connectivity.
I’m thankful not to be out shopping today, and I’m also thankful that those who enjoy it get to do so.
I’m so very thankful for all the work I’ve put into figuring myself out and reconnecting with parts of myself that felt distant and lost.
I’m grateful for all the lovely spirit guides I’ve been fortunate to encounter along the way, and for the soul-filling changes and plans I’ve made this year.
I’m thankful to have a family that is both loving and funny, and I am beyond the moon grateful that, even as an only child, I get to be Auntie to the pint-sized loves of my life, and soon to the newest baby bundle of love in the family, set to be on the scene in April!
Perhaps most of all, I’m thankful that I’m aware of how fortunate I am all year long, not just when I’m told to be.
So yesterday, we gave thanks. What shall we give today?
What qualities do you think make this great world go ‘round in the smoothest, most lovely of ways? Let’s give some of that today!
My world turners are honesty, enthusiasm, empathy, and creation. So that is what I will give today, this day after giving thanks.
And I will endeavor to give more of these things each day forward, letting them guide me through the waves and tides of obligation and overwhelm toward my destinations just beyond.
As they make those seas more manageable for me, so I hope their effect may make the seas more manageable for those around me as well.
Imagine if we all just took a moment, decided what mattered to us – what we really thought was important to be and share and do – and did that.
Sometimes it really is that simple. As I often remind my middle school students, we cannot control the behavior of others, but we can most certainly make choices for ourselves.
Sometimes thinking of being the capital-C Change we wish to see in the capital-W World is paralyzing in the enormity of its scope.
But being the lower-case-c change we wish to see in our own small lower-case-w world, by living our values in our own microcosmic way, we can make a difference that extends far beyond our original reach.
Wouldn’t it be fun to play around with that and see what happens? Let me know if you’re in!
I’d also love to hear what qualities are on your list of world turners in the comments below!
xxoo, cc
P.S. I’m grateful that I’m able to just finish this post, without fretting over whether or not I didn’t include someone or something important to me. This is but one snapshot of gratitude, and it needn’t encompass every ever-loving thing I appreciate.
But I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t iterate my gratitude for YOU, you gorgeous soul who’s taken the time to read what I’ve had to say today. Overflowing thanks and joy to YOU!
P.P.S. The image used in this post is from the multi-talented writer, creator, mover at be the breath.
P.P.P.S. I am also grateful for these two beautiful, peaceful pieces of music, and for Spotify that enables me to discover and enjoy them so easily:
“Speigel im spiegel” by Arvo Pärt, as performed by Angèle Dubeau and La Pietà:
“Trois Gymnopédies: No. 1” by Erik Satie, as performed by Anne Queffelec:
